Educating and empowering tomorrow’s leaders

Around 300 young people joined the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal Pell, and the Bishop of Parramatta, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, at a special Youth Breakfast in St Patrick’s Cathedral hall in Parramatta on Saturday 18 June.

On the Cloister lawn, Cardinal Pell and Bishop Anthony were welcomed in the Indian tradition by Freeda Sawant and Diocesan Youth Worker Annabelle Bhandoo and her husband, Placidus.

The guests were greeted by dancers from Samoan, Tongan and Filipino traditions. Band members from Youth For Christ Australia provided music.

After tucking into a breakfast of bacon and eggs, the gathering moved into the Cathedral to hear Cardinal Pell speak on the topic ‘Culture of Life vs Culture of Death’, which is the focus of his Pentecost message this year (You Shall Not Kill).

Hot topic

The breakfast was hosted by Catholic Youth Parramatta. Diocesan Youth Director Fr Suresh Kumar said the topic was an important one for young Catholics.

“A number of governments are planning to allow the introduction of bills on abortion and euthanasia. It brings fear in the lives of the people when governments promote death rather than life,” Fr Suresh said.

“We wanted to educate and empower the young people and to bring them to an awareness of how this Culture of Death is affecting society. Christ has taught us always to choose life and to promote it, whereas society today is becoming more and more a ‘use and throw’ culture.”

Fr Suresh said they had invited Cardinal Pell to speak because he had been at the forefront of the issue for a long time.

“At times he is criticised for what he believes, but he has never been afraid to stand for truth,” Fr Suresh said.

“It is very encouraging to any young person to know that the senior clergy of the Catholic Church are on their side to promote life. Today’s young people are the leaders of tomorrow. We need to educate them on promoting life so that we create a better future for humanity.”

Bishop Anthony welcomed His Eminence who he described as a great teacher, author, scholar and newspaper columnist.

“We are lucky to have him here with us today in Parramatta. He is a great leader for us and for the Church in Australia,” Bishop Anthony said.

“He is the Cardinal who brought World Youth Day to Australia in 2008. I am pleased to report that Parramatta’s contingent of 300 pilgrims to WYD in Madrid this year is the 2nd largest group from Australia.”

Culture of Life v Culture of Death

“When I first heard John Paul II speak of the Culture of Death I thought he was being a bit too harsh. (Evangelium Vitae, April 1995)

“But the scourge of abortion is that there are 90,000 a year in Australia. Public opinion is conflicted on this – between supporting a woman’s right to have an abortion and there being too many abortions.”

The Cardinal said there was a push to legalise euthanasia:

“It’s proponents are calling it mercy killing, dying with dignity, but it’s not. There is pressure on Catholics to conform, to keep quiet about what we believe. Society desperately needs people who will speak out about family life, marriage, abortion – this violation of human rights.”

Palliative care

He said the Church does not want people to suffer unnecessarily and must ensure the dying are not abandoned.

“Fifty-five per cent of palliative care in Australia is provided by Catholic agencies,” Cardinal Pell said.

The Cardinal said it would not be possible to limit ‘dying with dignity’ to voluntary euthanasia, “most killing will be involuntary”.

“The Aussie concept of a ‘fair go’ is rooted in Christianity. We need good things in society like respect for life.”

However, he said it was not enough to be pro-life, “we need to understand the issues and be able to explain them in a way that middle Australia will understand”.

Stand up for life

He called on young Catholics to join pro-life groups and political parties “to explain your view”.

“In conversation, state your case when the issue arises. You must be game enough to speak up – rise to the challenge and constructively present your case.”

Fr Suresh said the Cardinal’s very presence inspired young people. “His constant struggle to promote life is very evident in all that he does and says.”

Jay, one of the young people at the talk, said it was a blessing to be in the presence of two great Catholics leaders.

“It was fantastic to see Cardinal Pell and Bishop Anthony warmly welcomed by four different cultures,” Jay said.

“What struck me was the interest of young people to attend and hear Cardinal Pell speak about the moral challenges we face today. Not only is it a steep hill to climb but, if successful, we will see the greatest reward. We must continue to stand up for our Catholic values and preserve life at all stages.”